Re: DVD drive installation

Hello,
The unit is not an easy design. You have plenty of good solid information
from all the posters. Go step by step and use the diagrams (print out) on the
Dell site, mark each step as completed uninstalling and installing. Make sure
you check the back of the old drive and set up new drive the same way.
A external drive needs very little interaction. Comes with basic
instructions for a USB hardware install. Most times install the software and
at some point the software ask to have the USB device plugged in ( make sure
the device power is turned on before plugging into the USB port), not unlike
a USB printer.
Windows XP should recognize the drive and assign a letter.
take care.
beamish.

"Jo-Anne Naples" wrote:

Thank you, Beamish! As I posted to Dave, I'm getting less confident about
doing this myself. I hadn't thought, though, about getting an external
drive. (I do have two drives installed and was planning to replace one of
them.) That sure would e easier, wouldn't it?

Jo-Anne

"beamish" <beamish@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:9764A5C3-DC15-401E-8724-A19C4531788F@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


"Jo-Anne Naples" wrote:

I've decided to replace my nonwritable DVD drive with a writable one in
my
5-year-old Dell Dimension 8250 desktop computer (running Windows XP Home
and
SP3). Is this something a complete novice can tackle, or should it be
done
in a shop? My local shop says it would cost $49 for the drive and $75 to
install it--and it would come with software for burning discs. (I didn't
know burning discs required extra software. For my CD drive I use either
drag and drop or the ancient Easy CD Creator that came with my computer.)

Thanks much for your help!

Jo-Anne


Hello,
No indication concerning the number of DVD drives installed.
The Dell site indicates that two can be installed internally.
If there is only one installed, you might consider keeping that one and
installing a second DVD drive either internally or externally.
If there is a spare USB port or a firewire port you might consider an
external dvd burner (higher cost). Usually a new burner "external or
internal" come with burning software. If the burner software is not to
your
liking you can buy a different program or download free burner software
such
as "Final Burner".
Two DVD drives gives the ability to burn disc to disc and other abilities.
take care.
beamish.







.

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